Fifa World Cup 2014 News

After years of preparation the talking is finally over, with Brazil set to host the FIFA World Cup 2014 from June 12th until July 13th. The tournament offers the destination a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase its tourism offering, with hundreds of thousands of travellers expected to converge on the country.

Established in 1719 during the Brazilian Gold Rush, Cuiabá still offers visitors a taste of traditional Brazil. But with a new stadium being prepared ahead of kick-off at the 2014 World Cup, football fans from around the world are likely to be impressed by this thriving city.

Natal is proudly known as Cidade do Sol (Sun City) thanks to its faultless tropical climate – which provides over 300 days of sunshine each year. Already a favourite with Brazilian visitors, built a new stadium and world-class airport as it attempts to build its global reputation during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Belo Horizonte – or “Beautiful Horizon” – will be one of the host cities at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. A city renowned for its passion for the beautiful game and the intense rivalry between its two largest football teams, Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro, it has a number of sport tourism attractions.

Home to two of Brazil’s most venerated football sides - Coritiba Foot Ball Club and Clube Atlético Paranaense – Curitiba has been at the heart of sport in the country for decades. Now, with Brazil hosting the FIFA World Cup, the city is will take its bow on the international stage.

Tracing its roots to the Portuguese occupation of South America, the city of Salvador now wears its multicultural history proudly. Like all of Brazil the city is also crazy for football and will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the stadia of its two local sides - Esporte Clube Bahia and Esporte Clube Vitória.

Sao Paulo and its rival, Rio de Janeiro, are often compared to New York and Los Angeles respectively. If Rio has gained fame for its striking natural setting, Sao Paulo’s attraction lies in its people and its vibrant cultures.

Home to arguably two of the most important football clubs in Brazil - Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense and Sport Club Internacional - Porto Alegre is regarded as one of the powerhouses of the national sport. With a new stadium build ahead of kick of, the city is sure to be a key location for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Since its official foundation on April 21st 1960, the city of Brasília has served the purpose for which it was built: to replace Rio de Janeiro as the country’s capital. Now - following a successful test at the Futsal World Cup 2008 – the city will step in to host the biggest tournament of them all.

Rio de Janeiro is both Brazil’s tourism capital and its footballing capital, and the passion that the locals hold for the beautiful game is arguably unrivalled anywhere else in the world. As well as its incomparable natural beauty, Rio’s rich history and the contagious joie de vivre of the locals make it the most visited city in the southern hemisphere.

Home to three of the biggest football clubs in Brazil - Sport Club do Recife, Santa Cruz Futebol Clube and Clube Náutico Capibaribe – Recife is also among the top tourist destination in Brazil. Ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup the city is city is preparing a new 45,000 seater stadium to sit alongside the tropical climate and the spectacular beaches.

Home to two of the most popular clubs from the north-east of Brazil - Ceará Sporting Club and Fortaleza Esporte Clube – Fortaleza is also a popular beach destination. With the already magnificent Plácido Castelo Stadium renovated ahead of the tournament, the city looks like one of the hottest tickets for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.